This is Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi's The Word through the Internet (popularly known as The Spiritual Digest) weblog where you can receive daily quotes and weekly devotional messages. Pastor Afolaranmi is an ordained Baptist minister from Nigeria. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ to read his previous messages, and http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/ to know more about the ministry and me. God bless you abundantly!

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God” (John 1:11-13 NIV).

Recently there was an incident in my family that is thought-provoking. My wife was preparing the breakfast and gave the children the opportunity of choosing the kind of stew they preferred for the meal. Each of them made his/her choice, and was served with the chosen stew. Then, my nine-year-old son said regretfully, “Oh, I would have chosen egg stew, but it is too late now.” He discontentedly had his breakfast that day.

Each of us also has a choice to make now about where and how to spend our eternity. The choice has to be made before it is too late. We can choose to be with God and His holy angels in heaven or with Satan and his cohorts in hell. The only way to be with God is to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, because He is “the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through [Him]” (John 14:6 NIV), and “Whoever believes in [Jesus Christ] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son” (John 3:18 NIV).

There is no other way to heaven than this Way. Making any other choice will lead to regret and eternal condemnation. Before it is too late, make the right choice. Choose the Way of Jesus. Prophet Micah warned his people: “Will the LORD be pleased if I bring him thousands of sheep or endless streams of olive oil? Shall I offer him my first-born child to pay for my sins? No, the LORD has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God” (Micah 6:7-8 TEV). Living in fellowship with Him and having His life is believing in His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:11-12; 1 John 3:23; 5:12).

Before it is too late, make the right choice now! “I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV).

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Dearly Beloved,LOOKING BEYOND THE PROBLEM“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25 NIV).The man Job was a man of integrity that God could boast of even in the presence of the devil. By God’s permission, he faced many sufferings from the devil. His wife wanted him to curse God and die. His friends did not help matters in his trying time as they blamed him for his woes. In spite of all these, Job did not let his problem overshadow his belief in God. He was futuristic. He could look beyond his problem. He believed in his God and confessed that He would soon rescue him from all the calamities that he faced. God did rescue him and restore unto him all the things he lost.Many people allow their problems to overshadow their belief in God. They are so overwhelmed by the problems that they find it difficult to look beyond the problems. Many even have given up to the problems and they are waiting for the worst. However, like Job, we should not give up. We should rather look beyond our problems and look unto “Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross!” (Hebrews 12:2 TEV).What is the problem or challenge you are having now? Are you so overwhelmed with the problem that you are forgetting your all-powerful God? Are you about to give up because of your life challenges? Do not give up! Look beyond your problem! Your Redeemer is still living! He will see you through. You will overcome the problem, and people will rejoice with you in Jesus’ name. Amen.In His service,Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Ask God to increase your faith and then begin living a life that reflects absolute trust in Him. Out of His grace, God may choose to respond to your requests despite your lack of faith, but you will miss the joy of praying in faith. - Experiencing God Day by Day

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About Me

I am an ordained pastor of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. I work in its headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria. The Lord has put it in my mind to be ministering His words to as many people as I can through the Internet. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ to read my previous messages and possibly join the group. Also visit http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/ to know more about my ministry and me. God bless you!